Report of the governor general of the Philippine Islands. [1908]

784

REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.

The general and technical equipment of the school has been greatly
bettered and increased. One item of 63 microscopes, bought from
Leitz, Germany, cost P11,379.89.
The repairs to scientific apparatus have cost less than P20 during
the past year, which indicates the careful handling these delicate instruments have received on the part of the students. The breakage
of glassware has been inconsiderable.
A schedule of work has been prepared for the 5 classes, covering
oral recitations, laboratory work, attendance at clinics, lectures, and
special work in the bureau of science and the various hospitals of
Manila.
MORGUE AND AUTOPSIES.
The Malecon morgue, under the direction of the school, was opened
on July 9, 1907. Up to July 31 last the autopsies held there numbered 177. Cases in which death resulted from contagious diseases
are taken directly to the morgue at the San Lazaro Hospital. The
morgue attendant renders a daily report to the director of health. A
careful and complete record of all autopsies is kept and bound in
permanent form. The establishment of a pathologic museum has
been begun, and in time the same will prove very valuable.
FREE CLINIC AND DISPENSARY.
One of the most important features of the Philippine Medical
School is the free clinic and dispensary maintained by it at St. Paul's
Hospital, which is located conveniently near the present school quarters. At this clinic and dispensary the poor receive medical attention and medicines without charge. The clinic is divided into departments of surgery; pediatrics; obstetrics; eye, ear, nose, and throat;
and general and tropical medicine.
From September 1, 1907, to June 30, 1908, the patients visiting
this clinic and receiving treatment were as follows:
_.. ^ M onth. ca. T o.
Month. ical. cy. dren. rical. noseand Total.
1907.
September..................................... 492 236 73 2 19 822
October.................. 575 254 43 1 101 974
November....................................... 587 281 56 1 155 1,080
December...-..............-....... ----..... 508 286 70 1 160 1,025
1908.
January........................ 573 324 45.......... 221 1,163
February........................................ 577 331 37.......... 223 1,168
M arch........................................ 605 361 43.......... 265 1,274
A ril.............................................. 494 326 43......... 251 1,114
ay -. —...- ---....... 413 301 44.......... 179 937
June...'.'.'.'.:. "..................-..-. -........ 620 388 83.......... 221 1,312
Total................................... 5,444 3,088 537 5 1,795 10,869
Act No. 1679 appropriated funds for 50 free beds, fcr the clinical
purposes of the school, and 50 more beds, maintained by the city of
Manila, are likewise available. The patients occupying these beds
are furnished with lodging, subsistence, medicine, dressings, and
medical and surgical treatment at a cost to the government of P1.40
per day each. Between August 20, 1907, and August 31, 1908, 700